Taste of Auckland Announces Big, Bold And Tasty Line-up

It’s time to prepare your
taste buds for NZ’s most exciting foodie festival –
Taste of Auckland 2014. Settling into its new home of
Western Springs, this year’s line-up is set to be the best
yet, as it welcomes ten of Auckland’s finest restaurants,
plus a who’s who of chefs, winemakers and NZ’s best
producers.

First up, organisers are pleased to be
celebrating Aucklanders’ favourite spot for a long lunch,
Waiheke Island, by welcoming three of its most iconic
eateries; The Oyster Inn, Cable
Bay, and Poderi
Crisci.

Showcasing the diversity of the island,
The Oyster Inn and Cable Bay will serve up their signature
dishes for the first time; while owner of Poderi Crisci,
Antonio Crisci, is no stranger to the festival and looks
forward to adding some Italian flair to the four-day
festival.

Building on the Italian offering, Taste of
Auckland is pleased to welcome one of Ponsonby’s latest
additions,Farina, delivering the very best simple and fresh
Italian fare. Representing the East is Auckland
Central’siVillage, who will create delicious Indian treats
in their Tandoori oven, made with their special homemade
spices and masalas.

And the festival would not be complete
without crowd favourite, Depot Eatery & Oyster
Bar, who will present a new pop-up concept – The
Depot Raw Bar. Foodies can stop by for oyster shucking,
Virgin Mary Oyster shots and copies of Al Brown’s new book
‘Depot: Biography of a Restaurant’.

For innovative
cuisine with a French influence the festival welcomes
Sofitel’s Lava Dining, headed up by Chef,
Nick Honeyman; the Good Group’s inspired and redesigned
Harbourside will ensure seafood lovers are
well and truly sated, and Takapuna’s flagship restaurant
The Commons returns, this time with Chef
James Pask at the helm. To round off the offering, direct
from the Simunovich Olive Estate in Bombay, Chef Mikey
Newlands brings a refined taste of the country with
Bracu.

The Fisher & Paykel Chef's
Kitchen has been a festival favourite since day
one, as the chefs of Taste share with you their favourite
recipes and kitchen secrets. For 2014, Taste of Auckland is
thrilled to announce self-confessed food addict, Delaney Mes
in the coveted role of MC at the Fisher & Paykel Chef’s
Kitchen.

The Fisher & Paykel Chef's Kitchen will boast a
not-be-missed line-up with demonstrations by NZ’s most
well-loved chefs and restaurateurs – including Ben Bayly
and Michael Dearth of The Grove and Baduzzi, Kyle Street of
Depot, Masu’s Nic Watt (partnering with Kenwood), Lewisham
Award winner Ganesh Raj from The Tasting Shed in Kumeu,
Geoff Scott from Vinnies, and many more to be announced.

Taste of Auckland regulars will know to look out for BMW,
again working with Josh Emett on an experience which
promises to inspire both palates and minds.

A much-loved
entertainment venue, Western Springs has played host to many
great performers but this will be the first time that the
park has a gourmet feast such as Taste. The bigger venue has
allowed Taste of Auckland to spread its wings, expanding
into the surroundings with lots of new and exciting
features. Alongside the small producers and gourmet treats
that you love, this year the festival has some fabulous new
attractions including the G.H.Mumm Champagne Bar, the Dilmah
Tea Garden and NZ Avocado Urban Garden
Experience.

Festival Music Director Peter Urlich is yet to
announce the music line-up for the Magners Cider
Bandstand soon but hints at returning favourites
the Baby Shakes and a 12-piece Wellingtonian band, the
Clazzmatic Boogie Orchestra playing on the Sunday.

Taste
of Auckland will also welcome seven brewers and over 20
wineries from all over the country, in addition to the
ever-popular Plumm Wine Theatre with Australian star
sommelier, Matt Skinner.

Advance GA Tickets are available
from $25, as well as VIP Tickets from $99.

In addition,
the Carlton Party Hire Hospitality Marquee is hosting
special ticketed events honouring our most accomplished
restaurants, a Saturday Soiree and the sold out ‘Taste
Ladies Lunch’.

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